Feb. 20, 2009
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Nittany Lions haven't lost a step as the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships continued at the University of Michigan this morning. After prelims, nine Nittany Lions will advace to tonight's finals, six of which have a chance to win a Big Ten Championship.
Kaitlin O'Brien continued her dominance in the 400 IM posting the third best time in 4:08.83 and earning a spot in the championship final. O'Brien won this event in 2006 and 2007. Kailey Morris earned a place in the B Final with a time of 4:15.18 as Daphne Skelos will be joining her touching the wall in 4:15.73.
Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota dominated the 100 butterfly, but Lauren Smart clocked in at 54.93 to earn a spot in the C Final.
The Nittany Lions will be well represented in the 200 free championship final as Kelly Nelson and Sarah Baker both made the cut. Nelson's time of 1:46.16 was the second highest while Baker set a new personal best with 1:47.13. Last year Nelson placed second in this event.
Two Lions advanced to the championship final in the 100 breaststroke as well in Karie Haglund and Lyndsey Smith. Haglund posted the fourth best time at 1:00.65 while Smith reset her personal best at 1:01.28. Caitlin Meehan also perfomed well with a time of 1:02.72 and will compete in the B Final this evening.
In the 100 back, Kaitlyn Ferguson advanced to the championship final with a time of 54.10 while Michelle Myers will represent Penn State in the B Final checking in at 54.53.
Smith earned her second NCAA "B" qualifying time of the event in the 100 breast while Skelos followed in the 400 IM. Morris also earned her first NCAA "B" time in the 400 IM. Baker picked up her first individual NCAA qualification of the year in the 200 free.
The finals will resume tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET. For up to the minute results, fans can follow the action live by clicking here.